Faroog Zainudheen, Faroog Saifudheen, Zia Zaidi Abdul R
College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Riyadh, SAU.
Family and Community Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, SAU.
Cureus. 2023 Sep 8;15(9):e44931. doi: 10.7759/cureus.44931. eCollection 2023 Sep.
Background Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by visual field loss and potentially irreversible blindness, which poses a significant global health challenge. The Maldives, renowned for its unique geography and vibrant culture, faces unique challenges in healthcare access and delivery due to its scattered islands. Limited access to specialized healthcare services, coupled with cultural and socioeconomic factors, can contribute to disparities in glaucoma awareness and early detection. Understanding glaucoma awareness is paramount due to its potential impact on public health and the healthcare system. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among the citizens of Addu City, Maldives. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 390 residents of Addu City, Maldives. The online survey questionnaire assessed demographic information, knowledge and awareness of glaucoma, and risk factors associated with the disease. Results The majority of participants (66.9%) had never heard of glaucoma. Among those who had heard of glaucoma, only 22.6% knew that it could cause irreversible blindness. Logistic regression analysis and multivariate analysis showed that age, gender, socioeconomic status, and education level were significantly associated with awareness and knowledge of glaucoma (p<0.05). Conclusion Findings suggest a high likelihood of low awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among residents of Addu City, Maldives. The study highlights the urgent need for policymakers, program implementers, and the health sector to conduct awareness programs in the community and provide facilities for annual eye examinations, as well as to organize systematic screening plans for glaucoma across the Maldives.
青光眼是一种进行性视神经病变，其特征为视野缺损以及可能导致不可逆的失明，这对全球健康构成了重大挑战。马尔代夫以其独特的地理环境和充满活力的文化而闻名，由于其岛屿分散，在医疗服务的获取和提供方面面临着独特的挑战。获得专业医疗服务的机会有限，再加上文化和社会经济因素，可能导致青光眼知晓率和早期检测方面的差异。鉴于青光眼对公众健康和医疗系统的潜在影响，了解青光眼知晓情况至关重要。本研究的目的是评估马尔代夫阿杜市居民对青光眼的知晓情况和相关知识。
在马尔代夫阿杜市的390名居民中开展了一项横断面研究。在线调查问卷评估了人口统计学信息、青光眼的知识和知晓情况以及与该疾病相关的危险因素。
大多数参与者（66.9%）从未听说过青光眼。在那些听说过青光眼的人中，只有22.6%知道它会导致不可逆的失明。逻辑回归分析和多变量分析表明，年龄、性别、社会经济地位和教育水平与青光眼的知晓情况和知识显著相关（p<0.05）。
研究结果表明，马尔代夫阿杜市居民对青光眼的知晓率和知识水平很可能较低。该研究强调，政策制定者、项目实施者和卫生部门迫切需要在社区开展宣传项目，提供年度眼部检查设施，并在马尔代夫各地组织系统性的青光眼筛查计划。
